No. Coast Ohio Chapter 2/11 Update

NORTH COAST PONTIAC CHAPTER (OHIO)

The featured car for the month of February was Kerry Klotzmans 1969 GTO.

The start of the classic muscle car dates back to the ’64 GTO. A bigger V8 with the rumble of dual exhausts gave the “Goat” attitude and Kerry definitely had the desire to own one. In 1988, the hunt began. Kerry and a friend came across a ’69 GTO convertible. It wasnt exactly what he wanted but the Poncho ran great and the price was fair. Plus, the 4-speed sealed the deal.

After driving the car for the summer. Kerry decided that a restoration project was in order. So it began&Ron Fuller of Classic Auto Works lent his expertise. When the car was taken apart, it was very rusty and had a lot of body filler. The hood and doors needed replaced. It was no easy task finding parts. A talented worker from Classic Auto Works with old world training did the panel beading. While working on the ’69, Kerry learned that many changes were made on the car prior to his purchase. When they took the motor apart they learned that it was already balanced and blueprinted. Also, from drag racing all of her life the Goats chassis needed tweaking. Kerry was disappointed that he didnt pay closer attention to details before buying the car, however, he was committed to completing the project&so the restoration continued.

After three years and over 2000 hours of work in the car, including six coats of PPG Duracryl, four coats of clear, new wiring and getting the interior to look like new, the project was finally completed. The newly restored ’69 was finished just in time for the 1991 POCI convention which happened to be hosted by the North Coast Pontiac Chapter. The Goat is definitely an enjoyable car to drive. Just for fun, she even ran a very respectable 14.58 at Norwalk Raceway.

Kerry learned important lessons about restoring a classic. This diamond in the rough was a challenge, but Kerry is happy he followed through with the project. He enjoys cruising in his Ram Air 3, 4-speed, 3.90 posi, Poncho. Since the restoration, the car has put 18,000 miles on her speedometer. This beautiful, Limelight Green Metallic ’69 GTO convertible is now Kerrys pride and joy.

If you are in the Greater Cleveland area, NCPC invites you to join us at our Dust-Off on May 1st at Jay Pontiac, and on July 31st at Solon Commons for our 14th Annual All Pontiac Benefit Car Show.